Dr. Vickie Gentry has been named interim provost/vice president for academic affairs and acting dean of the graduate school at Northwestern State University effective January 1, 2017. The interim appointment will be through Dec. 31, 2017. The appointment has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

“As the Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Gentry has demonstrated the intellect, emotional intelligence and character that are essential to leading the academic mission of a university,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Jim Henderson. “Our faculty, in concert with the department heads and academic deans, and with Dr. Gentry at the helm, will continue to foster a climate of student-focused academic excellence.”

Gentry has served as an associate professor and department head in NSU’s Department of Health and Human Performance, acting dean of the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development from 2004-06 and dean for more than 10 years. She has been chief academic officer and dean of the graduate school since July.

“It is a great honor to serve Northwestern State University in this capacity,” said Gentry, who will mark her 20th anniversary at Northwestern State in January. “There are many reasons why I love working at Northwestern State. One reason is the dedication of faculty and staff and their commitment to student success in all endeavors. Another reason is the opportunities for professional growth and leadership made available to me.”

While serving as acting provost and vice president for academic affairs, Gentry “pledges to honor the traditions of the past and to hopefully improve on what’s been done. Expectations are high due to the legacies of the past 130-plus years.”

Gentry was a teacher and coach in Jefferson County (Alabama) schools for four years and taught at LSU-Alexandria, LSU-Shreveport and Texas A&M.

She served as president of the Louisiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education from 2008-10 and participated in AACTE Annual Conferences for the last 12 years and at several CAEP/NCATE Institutional Accreditation/Professional Development Conferences.

Gentry has made 65 presentations at international, national, regional and state meetings and has had 45 refereed publications in international, national and state journals.